WASHINGTON, DC, Aug 21 — In 1988 President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation making today, August 21st, National Senior Citizens Day. It read, in part: “With improved healthcare and more years of productivity, older citizens are reinforcing their historical roles as leaders and as links with our patrimony and sense of purpose as individuals and as a Nation.”
In an interview with Rebecca Weber, CEO of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC], she remarked that “President Reagan’s words resonated with my dad who was determined to stand up for America’s silent majority when he founded AMAC in 2007. He passed away earlier this year, but his legacy lives on and our advocacy efforts in behalf of older Americans who care about our country and our Constitution become more effective with each passing day. And, as Dad would say, we can’t stay silent any longer.”
The interview was conducted by John Grimaldi, an AMAC editorial contributor.
John: 2020 has turned out to be a year of turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing, violent unrest that has swept the nation. These are, indeed, scary times for many people; seniors, in particular, may be worried about what the future holds in store. What are your thoughts about our prospects?
Rebecca: I remain confident that we are strong enough as a nation to overcome the adversities we face. As someone once said, life doesn’t get easier, we get stronger and more resilient. So, it’s a good thing that America’s senior population is growing at a staggering rate; it means the nation is growing stronger and more resilient. Ten thousand people turn 65 each and every day in the U.S. and that gives me hope.
John: What about the troubling news we get each day? There’s concern that the COVID crisis will have a long-term impact on the economy and the health of the nation. And, it seems that anarchists and progressive forces are hell bent on turning the country into a socialist state.
Rebecca: It is certainly understandable that people feel helpless and, though it might take longer than we’d like to see an end to the predicament in which we find ourselves, we will have a vaccine sooner than later and we will overcome the economic impact of the disease.
As for the political aspects of COVID-19, the young Turks have apparently decided that they are prepared to swap the freedoms of the American Republic for a socialist. But, in the end, it is up to the voters to do their part. So, I am urging America’s older and wiser population to get out and vote in the upcoming Presidential Election. After all, we are the adults and the proven, responsible members of society.
Who you vote for is your business but be aware of the stakes are high this time around. We face a clear and present danger from a progressive element that would disavow our nation’s past and that threatens the very fabric of our society. Remember, dissidents have been around a long time and, to date, they have failed to take us down yet.